The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation P.O. Box 1776 Williamsburg, Va. 23187-1776 colonialwilliamsburg.org

Colonial Williamsburg to Resume

Limited Onsite Programming June 14

Select sites to reopen at reduced capacity, changes to guest experience; face coverings and social distancing required for staff and guests inside foundation-owned buildings

Colonial Williamsburg will resume limited public programming at select sites on June 14. This first wave of openings is based on Virginia’s move into Phase 2 of the state’s Forward Virginia initiative. The foundation will open additional sites and expand programming in coming weeks and months pending government and public health guidance to further limit health risks associated with COVID-19.

“We are eager to welcome employees and guests back to Colonial Williamsburg, but re- opening our public sites requires that we work together so that we all remain safe,” said President and CEO Cliff Fleet. “Our phased re-opening plan is based on state guidelines and is fully supported by our regional partners. With this plan in place, we can move at a measured pace toward our shared goal of a return to normal operations.”

The following Colonial Williamsburg indoor and open-air sites will operate at reduced capacity and follow site-specific safety guidelines developed as part of the foundation’s COVID-19 business resumption plan, which is consistent with the state’s Phase 2 requirements:

• The Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg • Governor’s Palace • Capitol • Courthouse • Weaver trade shop • Carpenter’s Yard • Peyton Randolph Yard • Colonial Garden • Magazine Yard • Armoury Yard • Brickyard • George Wythe Yard • Custis Square, including tours

The Williamsburg Lodge is currently open with additional hospitality operations expanding based on sustainable business demand. Additionally, the Market House, Colonial Williamsburg’s open-air market on Duke of Gloucester Street, reopens today. Updated information about programming, open facilities and what guests can expect when they visit is available at colonialwilliamsburg.org.

Colonial Williamsburg made several changes to the guest experience for this initial reopening. Most interpretive programming will be moved outdoors. Additionally, most doors, faucets, and other high-traffic touchpoints are now touchless, and there will be significantly enhanced cleaning protocols throughout the foundation’s open locations.

For the safety of employees and the public, ticketed guests can expect limited interaction with interpretive staff. Site entry is limited by state-mandated capacity guidelines for social gatherings, and guests are encouraged to proceed quickly through interpretive sites to accommodate as many visitors as possible. Face coverings are required while inside foundation-owned buildings and their use is encouraged outdoors as well. Guests are also asked to adhere to social distancing guidelines during their visit to Colonial Williamsburg sites, when walking along Duke of Gloucester Street and in other publicly accessible areas. Colonialwilliamsburg.org lists additional guest comfort and safety guidelines to provide the safest experience for guests, the general public and Colonial Williamsburg’s staff.

Colonial Williamsburg is offering a site and program admission ticket priced at $19.99 for adults and $10.99 for youth to reflect the limited scope of programming during this initial re-opening phase. Tickets are available now for dates starting June 14. Online sales and digital redemption via mobile device are encouraged. Visit colonialwilliamsburg.org for additional “touchless” ticketing details as well as options for guests who prefer to use paper tickets. Active annual pass products, including Good Neighbor passes, are valid during the initial reopening.Some employees on administrative leave or furlough will be called back during the initial re-opening phase with additional staff returning over time as operations expand. Employees able to work from home will continue doing so. Colonial Williamsburg will continue to maintain health insurance coverage and other benefits for covered furloughed employees and has waived June rent for furloughed employees in Colonial Williamsburg housing, as was done in April and May. Scaled pay reductions will remain in place for salaried employees, including senior management.

All Colonial Williamsburg employees will receive special safety training prior to returning to work to limit the risk of spread or infection. The training includes general and site-specific safety requirements such as basic sanitization procedures, use of face coverings where appropriate, and social distancing requirements to follow with colleagues and guests. Signs posted throughout the Historic Area and Art Museums will remind guests of safety precautions to protect themselves and others from risks associated with COVID-19 exposure.

Colonial Williamsburg is closely monitoring public-health guidance and will respond immediately if additional government-issued restrictions arise. Resumption of operations is dependent upon continued reduced health risk. Colonial Williamsburg continues to work closely with government agencies, healthcare and private-sector organizations, William & Mary and others, and has aligned its plans and safety protocols with those recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Virginia Department of Health and other agencies.

Information on Colonial Williamsburg operations are available online at colonialwilliamsburg.org/update and by following Colonial Williamsburg on Facebook. Additional details about Colonial Williamsburg’s Summer Savings Package, which has been expanded to include two complimentary length-of-stay admission tickets, are available at colonialwilliamsburghotels.com.

COVID-19 Response Timeline

Jan.-Feb. Colonial Williamsburg Department of Environmental Health and Safety issues all-staff messages to report that the foundation is monitoring public health guidance regarding COVID-19, to share guidance for normal measures to limit transmission risk, and to provide resources for additional information.

March 2: Colonial Williamsburg participates in regional COVID-19 planning session convened by the City of Williamsburg to fully coordinate emergency response with local, regional, state and federal partners.

March 10: “Hands on” aspects of site interpretation and programming, in which guests and employees touch common objects and surfaces, are suspended.

March 13: Frontline staff are instructed to observe social distancing including courteous refusal of normal physical contact with guests. Telework instituted for eligible employees.

March 14: To support social distancing, selected interpretive programs are cancelled indefinitely, and Historic Site access is modified to limit group size and proximity.

March 16: Closure of most public sites until March 30:

§ Area interpretive sites and programs § The Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg § Taverns and other Historic Area food and beverage locations § The Colonial Williamsburg Regional Visitor Center § The John D. Rockefeller Jr. Library § Bassett Hall § The Custis Square archaeological site § The Spa of Colonial Williamsburg

March 17: President and CEO Cliff Fleet notifies commercial tenants in Colonial Williamsburg’s Merchants Square that April rent and fees for marketing and common area maintenance are waived.

Colonial Williamsburg begins closure of table-service dining locations in compliance with the state order prohibiting gatherings of 10 or more people.

March 23: Colonial Williamsburg Shuttle bus service reduce daily operating hours from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

March 25: Colonial Williamsburg announces:

§ Expanded operational closures starting March 27 to include hotel properties except a portion of the Williamsburg Lodge and some Colonial Houses § Extension of all operational closures through April 30 § Continued pay and benefits for regular hourly staff unable to work due to the suspension of public programming § Most Hospitality and casual staff placed on emergency administrative leave with full pay and benefits through April 11, and then furloughed for the balance of the closure period § Scaled pay reductions for salaried employees § Waiver of April rent for furloughed employees who rent Foundation residences § Governor’s Inn repurposed as an emergency housing and care facility to support the community. § Postponement of Mr. Jefferson’s Palace Garden Party, originally scheduled for May 1 and the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg Community Celebration, originally scheduled for May 9-10.

April 21: Colonial Williamsburg announces:

§ Williamsburg Lodge's hotel operations closing May 1 § Most Williamsburg Lodge Hospitality employees will receive full pay and benefits through May 9, then join other Hospitality and casual staff furloughed on April 11 for the balance of the closure period. § All new and current closures extended through May 31. § Waiver of May rent for furloughed employees who rent foundation residences.

May 21: Colonial Williamsburg announces:

§ Extending most operational closures into June, but anticipates portions of the Historic Area and Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg reopening after Virginia moves into phase two of Gov. Ralph Northam administration’s Forward Virginia plan. § Reopened select sites based on phase one of the state’s Forward Virginia plan § Chowning’s Tavern reopening its outdoor seating area on weekends starting May 23 § Additional Hospitality facilities, including hotels, will expand operations as needed to fulfill demand. § WILLIAMSBURG Craft House reopened May 15 § All Merchants Square retail outlets and restaurants opening by June 1.

June 5: Colonial Williamsburg announces:

§ Phased relaunch of limited public programming beginning June 14 § The Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg § Governor's Palace § Capitol § Courthouse § Weaver trade shop § Carpenter's Yard § Peyton Randolph Yard § Colonial Garden § Magazine Yard § Armoury Yard § Brickyard § George Wythe Yard § Custis Square, including tours § Guest and employee safety protocols implemented at all sites. § Williamsburg Lodge resumes limited operations with additional Hospitality facilities opening based on sustainable business demand. § Market House, Colonial Williamsburg’s open-air market, opens Friday, June 5.

The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation preserves, restores and operates Virginia’s 18th-century capital of Williamsburg. Innovative and interactive experiences highlight the relevance of the American Revolution to contemporary life and the importance of an informed, active citizenry. The Colonial Williamsburg experience includes more than 600 restored or reconstructed original buildings, renowned museums of decorative arts and folk art, extensive educational outreach programs for students and teachers, lodging, including the Forbes 5-star Williamsburg Inn, culinary options from historic taverns to casual or elegant dining, the Golden Horseshoe Golf Club featuring 45 holes designed by Robert Trent Jones and his son Rees Jones, a full-service spa and fitness center, pools, retail stores and gardens. Philanthropic support and revenue from admissions, products and hospitality operations sustain Colonial Williamsburg’s educational programs and preservation initiatives.

– CWF –